Ferry ‘cross the Mersey .jpg)
The nearest station is James St.Cross past the Three Graces,and head down to the landing stage through the Gift shop.
In the Nineteenth Century
there was a cafe here run by a flamboyant character called William Simpson. He is credited with creating the idea of inviting the public to give to charitable causes.
In 1877-78 India was suffering from a famine and Simpson placed a bowl by his cafe and asked for passers by to throw in their change. In a month he had raised £200.00- over £3000 in today’s terms. The idea was continued for other causes- for South Wales miners distressed Irish,subsequently raising thousands of pounds.
The original “Simpson’s Bowl “is in the Town Hall and there is also Simpson’s Fountain in the wall of St. Nicholas’s Church.
CHARITIES
Liverpool originated a number of charities which went on to become or inspire national charities. For example for most of the Nineteenth Century there was no protection against cruelty to children. The U.S.A. led the way, following the case of Mary Ellen McCormack who was subject to daily beatings by her adoptive parents. They could not be prevented from attacking her as there was no law to protect her.
Henry Bergh, the Founder of the New York Society for the Prevention to Animals was able to argue at the Supreme Court that since she was a “human animal” she was entitled to the same protection as animals. The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formed in 1875.
Thomas Agnew, a Liverpool banker, visited New York in1881, and was inspired on his return to found the Liverpool Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It is hard to imagine how controversial this was at the time. Cruelty to children was both domestic and institutionalised.
Forbid cruelty to children? How on earth are the chimneys of the grand houses to be swept unless we can force tiny 5 year olds to crawl through the soot the sulphur and the filth? Who will skip between the spinning and weaving machines to make the adjustments best made by small nimble fingers, if it is no longer acceptable to cripple children at work? Is the State going to tell parents that they are not allowed to beat their own children?
In fact the Government shied away from legislation fearing that it would be defeated in Parliament. Lord Shaftesbury summarised the position
“The evils you state are enormous and indisputable, but they are also of so private, internal, and domestic a nature as to be beyond the reach of legislation and the subject indeed, would not I think be entertained in either House of Parliament”.
The Liverpool Society showed that even without legislation action could be taken, and their example led to the establishment to the National Society in 1884. Some other charities started locally are;
- The United Voluntary Organisation was formed in1953. It later -The United Voluntary Organisation was formed in1953. It later became became Give As You Earn raising millions for charities.
- A Liverpool headmistress pioneered the idea of a school meals service. Jessie Crosbie was headmistress of St. Augustine’s school in Vauxhall in the 1920s. She began to provide meals for the
children, all of whom were poor.
- The Plain English Campaign was founded by Chrissie Maher. It became a national and multi-national movement.
- The Liverpool Personal Services Society led to a number of other national charities and services, including Age Concern, Marriage Guidance, Legal Aid,Home Helps, Citizen Advice Bureaux, and Housing Trusts.
- Guide Dogs for the Blind were pioneered at New Brighton
Ferries have been crossing the Mersey since 1317 when King Edward granted ferry rights to the Priory of Birkenhead. We visit this Priory later in this tour.
If you have a Saveaway ticket you should ask for a boarding pass which is free and allows you to take the Ferry to Seacombe and Woodside outside the peak times.
When I was a little boy the incline of the bridge used to puzzle me. You’d go “across the water” (the Liverpool way of saying go to the Wirral) in the morning and return in the evening. As you walked down in the morning it would have a gentle incline, but when you came back it would be steep. At first I just thought it was exhaustion after a busy day playing on the beach. It was only later that I found that the landing stage rose and fell with the tide of the Mersey.The ferry round trip takes about 40 minutes but you may wish to land at Seacombe or Woodside..JPG)
The Ferries are so homely, that it is a little surprising to know that they have seen armed service- the original Royal Iris, and Royal Daffodil were involved in the Commando raid on Zeebrugge- they were given the title “Royal” to mark their part in the raid.
The ferries are used by commuters, but tourist use is important. To this end a commentary is provided to tell a little of the history of the ferry and the river. The cruise inevitably finishes to the sound of “Ferry Across the Mersey.” A few years ago the crews of the ferries complained that they were fed up hearing the song, day in, day out, and management agreed to stop playing it. Can you imagine that in any other tourist attraction in the world?
It was soon re-instated.. The ferries host various musical events and special cruises. A regular cruise is organised by the local gay community, billed as “Fairies Across the Mersey”!
As you sail over the river you will see a large shipyard marked with huge letters ”A + P”. This was formerly the Laird shipyard which was founded in1828.Over 1400 ships were built here including the “Ark Royal” the “Mauretania, and the “Windsor Castle”, the most authentic of the remaining traditional liners . The worlds’ first iron warship the “Guadelope” and the First British submarine were built here .
The graving dock used for the Confederate raider “the Alabama” is still there.
The “Great Eastern laid the first transatlantic cable, from Liverpool to New York. The Great Eastern was the largest ship in the world, and the only one large enough to carry the cable. It had 6 masts named after the days of the week, Monday-Saturday. The ship was broken up on the Mersey and the 4th mast, “Thursday” is now the flagpole for Liverpool Football Club.
Another Birkenhead industrialist who you may find of interest was Thomas Brassey, 1805-1870. Brassey’s firm built an eighth of the worlds railway systems- the Indian, Austrian, and the Grand Trunk Railway in Canada to name but a few.
During the Crimean War some 30,000 British and French troops were besieged by the Russians at Sevastopol. They were starving for lack of supplies, which had to be hauled across country from Balaclava, the carts sinking axle deep in mud. Brassey’s firm came to the rescue, building a 39 mile stretch of railway through these treacherous conditions in just 6 weeks.
The real hero was the engineer in charge, Mr.Beattie who worked himself so hard that he died on his return.
At Seacombe there is a small Aquarium and Pirates’ Adventure suitable for small children. The Space Centre is well worth a visit, and if you walk a little way along the Promenade you will come to the site of Mother Redcaps Inn-now Mother Redcaps Rest Home.
Malcolm Lowry, the author of “Under the Volcano” was born in Wallasey. Continue on the ferry to Woodside where there is a restaurant with a great view of Liverpool.. Outside the Terminal is the historic tram ride.
Birkenhead had Europe’s first tram service which opened in 1860. The first services were horse-drawn. They were the brain-child of an American, George Train, who was the larger than life person on whom Jules Verne based the Phineas Fogg character in “Around the World in 80 Days”.
Birkenhead Priory, a Benedictine monastery built in 1150 and the oldest building on Merseyside is about 10 minutes walk from here..
Turn left as you leave the terminal and follow the road until you reach Ivy St, where you turn left. Turn right onto Church St. and the Priory is at the end.
It is best to check opening times as these are limited. ‘Phone 0151 666 1249.Much of the original building still survives and other parts have been skilfully restored. You can also climb St. Mary’s Church tower for excellent views of Liverpool and the Wirral. The monks ran the first Mersey ferry service and this is shown by the jetty at nearby Monks Ferry.
Go back towards the terminal and turn left onto Bridge St. towards the building with the turreted tower, Hamilton Square Station.
Near to the station are a number of cafes, ranging from basic take-aways to a good restaurant. The latter is on the left as you leave the station, and is called with startling originality the “Station Restaurant”.
Go past the restaurant and pause at the corner of the magnificent Hamilton Square with its gardens.
It was developed during the Nineteenth Century. On your right is a café and craft shop called the”Cajobah Gallery and Tea room”. This is a really nice, friendly café with a good choice of food, not your usual café fare and you can spend time looking at the interesting and unusual array of crafts while waiting for your meal.
On your left is Wirral Museum housed in the former Birkenhead Town Hall. This is worth visiting just to see the splendour of the Victorian interiors-the council chamber, gallery, cinema, and a collection of the local Della Robbia pottery. Have a walk around the Gardens. When these
were first developed they were for the exclusive use of the wealthy occupants of the surrounding houses. Most of these are now used as offices.
To return to Liverpool take the train from Hamilton Square station, or return to the Ferry. The ferry departure area has a display telling the history of ferries across the Mersey.